A freephone disruption number, 0800 727 800, has been set up for the trade by British Airways for issues relating to the strike threat. This comes just before the revised schedule for the possible strike days is published.

Passengers on Gatwick short haul and any Heathrow flights who are concerned about whether their flight will operate and are booked to travel between 19th March and 31st March will have the choice of rebooking or cancelling and obtaining a refund, BA said. Gatwick long haul and London City flights are expected to operate as normal.

Once the schedule is announced the airline will offer customers whose flights are cancelled by strike action the option to rebook, re-route to the nearest destination or receive a refund.

The trade is also being advised to check the main BA website and BATravelTrade.com for the latest updates regarding flight status and commercial policies.

Head of trade sales Scott Davies said: “We’d really like to thank the trade for the support they’ve shown us, we’ve been overwhelmed by their response. It’s vital that we continue to work together to ensure that our mutual customers are well looked after.

“It is only fair that we ensure the trade have a freephone number in order to help them rebook those customers who are affected by Unite’s unjustified strike threat.”

The 0800 727 800 number has been specifically set up for calls relating to the strike threat. Any queries not relating to potential strike disruption should continue to be directed through the trade support line, BA said.